“There’s a lot of good players (in Canada) that very often have not been given the opportunity,” said James Easton, vice-president of soccer operations for the CPL.

“We want to make sure that we’re looking far and wide, in all the nooks and crannies, and giving opportunities to players who think they can be professionals,” he added. “So we don’t want to leave any stone unturned.”

Other clubs across the country include HFX Wanderers FC, York 9 FC, Forge FC, Cavalry FC, FC Edmonton and Pacific FC. The league’s kickoff is next spring.

Former Canadian international forward Alex Bunbury will lead the trials, with coaches and/or technical staff from each of the seven CPL teams in attendance (Hamilton’s Forge FC has yet to announce its coach).